All in a day’s work….

The Pacific Ocean north of Trinidad, California; “New Young” by Josh Rouse.

Spent a few days last week in Humboldt County with my hubby, Little Miss, and her mum, and the weather was glorious! Sunny days and cool, starry nights made that brief holiday quite spectacular, not to mention sharing that beautiful area with family. It was good to get home, for I have projects in need of attention. There’s The Hawk, some quilts, and just the business of life. I saw my doc this morning for a physical, and now that I’m in my fifties, it’s time for lipid tests and various other blood work that will follow (but not dog) my steps for the next couple of decades until I’m too old to be bothered.

Recently I joked about this with my neighbor, who is about ten years my senior. There’s this window from fifty to seventy-five where we undergo pokes and prods, then it truly won’t matter. My doctor nodded at my observations with mild eye rolling; this is his profession after all. But it’s the truth, and for most of it I’ll gladly acquiesce, starting tonight by fasting until morning. There’s so much I want to accomplish, best to be as fit of a fiddle as can be.

Another quilt on the wall; “Dove sei” by Neffa.

There are future family vacations, watching the nietos enter school, attending graduations, perhaps even weddings, and possibly cuddling a great-grandbaby. There are heaps of fabrics waiting to be sliced then sewed into myriad comforters. And there is the notion of noveling, which is how I began this day, editing the first two chapters of The Hawk: Part Thirteen. I’d mulled over actually writing, but I had to be at the doc at half past nine, so instead I pulled fabrics from the stash for another plus quilt.

When I returned home, I put on the tunes (Neffa, Josephine, Kate Bush, Cyndi Lauper, Josh Rouse, Hollie Cook, Belle & Sebastian, Jose Gonzalez, Luna, and Kurt Vile, whose song “All in a Daze Work” is the inspiration for today’s title) and began to inspect low volume and navy prints. I didn’t get around to lunch until nearly one p.m., then went right back to sorting fabrics. Fifteen blocks are now arranged on the little quilt wall, pluses set aside for another fifteen, with a stack of fabrics still to be cut into large and small squares. I’ve finished the first plus quilt, just need to gift wrap it. I so enjoyed this pattern and look forward to making it over and over as the years pass.

A post about this quilt is forthcoming; “Teardrop” by Jose Gonzalez.

In order to do that, I need to manage my health with as much attention as I give the crafts. Fortunately I have no problems, assuming blood tests come back clear. My husband finds this process somewhat invasive, and while I agree that it’s more micromanaged than maybe it has to be, we still have our right to say NO to this or that procedure. Sometimes I think if I can just finish The Hawk, I’ll die happy, hehehe. But while listening to various tunes, I didn’t feel aged, rather youthful actually. Music makes the years slip away; I’m not as young as the grandkids, but there’s no way I’m someone’s abuela.

My daughter, granddaughter and hubby along the North Coast in Humboldt County; “Moments of Pleasure” by Kate Bush.

Well, you get what I mean. Or I hope the vigor of life rings through this post, in that age is merely a number. I may not be so sprightly when Little Miss and The Burrito collect their high school diplomas, but I sure better be able to applaud their efforts. And if that’s not the case, at least I’ll have done all I can to make each day count, be it through book chapters, quilt blocks, blog posts, doctor appointments, and the most meaningful manner of sharing love with all whom I encounter. I heartily encourage you to check out the tunes associated with each of the photos; I’ve included those by Kate Bush, Neffa, as well as “Last Minute” by Josephine. These are the joys that make up my life; time has no bearing when love (and melodies) is involved.